Stuff Those Stockings With Savings Advice

It's getting down to the wire to finish stuffing those stockings. Forget about lollipops and fuzzy socks and try something different for the kiddies. No, I'm not talking about shares of dividend paying stocks like Johnson & Johnson or JP Morgan Chase, but about a bunny who can teach them about saving.

Sammy Rabbit, a character created by Sam X. Renick, teaches children and their families about the importance of saving through stories and songs. Mr. Renick was kind enough to send me a copy of his books and CD for me to try with my five-year old, and it worked. She was clapping and singing and we both enjoyed the materials which would be appropriate for most grade school children.

By avoiding a preachy tone, Sammy Rabbit makes it fun to learn about the importance of saving and budgeting. Sammy advises from every dollar, save a dime, and stresses setting goals as a necessary way to achieve one's dreams. After you've spent so much time unwrapping gifts and feasting lavishly during the holidays, you'll probably find that this is a perfect time of year to talk about the concept of saving.

Mr. Renick has traveled throughout the country to teach kids about money, and it's worth checking his appearance schedule to see if he'll be in your area. In the meantime, you can visit his website to purchase materials for your youngster. Your kids just may go from saving their dimes one day to reaping their own substantial dividends in the not-too-far-off future from financial lessons learned at a young age. And they'll have a rabbit (and you, of course) to thank for it.

Happy holidays!

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Fool contributor S.J. Caplan does not own shares of the companies mentioned in this article.